On spec with maximum profit in milk powder processing

Offering a long shelf-life and ease of transport, milk powder has become a popular global commodity in our increasingly complex food supply chains.

A growing market awaits for producers who can do milk powder processing while closely matching the strict quality specifications for international trade such as the Codex Alimentarius CXS 207-1999 Standard for milk powders and cream powder. In addition to matching specifications for key control parameters such as moisture and protein, the integrity of the product and sustainable production are of growing concern from milk producers to consumers.

With the ability to fine-tune the process, the tightly controlled arena of milk powder processing holds rewards through reduced waste and quality issues and optimal use of materials and resources. Protein, for instance, can be closely controlled in powder processing with lactose or permeate from an ultra-filtration process and by standardisation of incoming milk at the start of the production process. Likewise, moisture content of powder can be closely monitored during drying for quality and the most rational use of resource-intensive processes.

Insights add value

Hygienic quality for yield and specifications

In the finely tuned milk powder process, bacteria and somatic cell count of incoming milk can have a profound effect on efficiency and yield. In particular, spore-forming bacteria have become an increasing area of concern for dairy powder processors because of stringent customer specifications. A quick and reliable test to ensure low counts going into the process makes sense for any production.

New analytical technology helps you to handle incoming milk for optimal results downstream. Advances in analytical technology for checking the hygiene quality of milk now make it possible to test milk within minutes so that a result is available before it is unloaded from the delivery truck and mixed with the rest of the supply.

The innovation involves equipment using so-called flow cytometry technology for counting bacteria and somatic cells in the raw milk. The analyser incubates a sample of milk and then uses a laser to count individual bacteria and somatic cells that determine the hygiene quality and subsequent suitability for processing. Learn more about the BacSomatic™ analyser.

Screening for adulterants as part of existing control

The risk of contamination in milk powder processing is always top-of-mind throughout the tightly-controlled milk powder production and supply chain. The problem is greater in developing milk industries, but even the most well-established milk delivery and processing systems can suffer from accidental contamination, for example, with cleaning fluids used to clean tanker trucks. A smart line of defense is that the same analytical equipment used for milk standardisation can also perform checks for possible adulteration at the same time.

Exploiting powerful FTIR technology, the MilkoScan™ FT3 provides the most precise and widest scope of adulteration screening capabilities in the industry. You can check for deliberate or accidental adulteration while performing normal quality control tests.

Effective finished product analysis

Analysis at the critical final stage of production helps you to limit liabilities and potentially damaging product recalls. Instead you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing your products meet specifications.

The majority of this testing can be performed using rapid routine analysis with NIR, but certified chemical analysis methods are also often required for validation of compliance with certain end-product criteria. For chemical analysis we can provide a complete range of solutions aimed at automating steps for speed and safety while minimising use of chemicals.

Dedicated industry solutions

For any industry player, from single plants to multi-national organisations analytical solutions can help you improve the consistency of consumer milk products while boosting your profit through razor-sharp control of the use of expensive milk components.

With you in your daily work

Our integrated and remotely controlled support and optimization services ensure maximum value from all your FOSS solution wherever you are in the world. Beyond on-site maintenance, our service engineers and application specialists are always with you online. The team monitors performance status and secures that your connected analytical operations run smoothly. Our preventive maintenance warrants up-time and quality of data - day after day. Read more.